RIVERDALE - An unexpected rise in Lake Sakakawea, helped by heavy rain, has put boat ramps back in operation and lifted spirits across the water.

Officials say the rise is due to a number of factors, including late snow and heavy rain over the region and a reduction in releases from North Dakota's Garrison Dam.

Runoff began about a month earlier than usual this year, giving the lake an unexpected early boost. Then came torrential rains.

"Now we're back to where we were a year ago. We've lived in this area for years and have never seen this many people out here," said Clarence Weltz, who works at the Van Hook Bait Shop. "It's a lot better now. It's excellent compared to what it was. I know the business people in New Town and Parshall are definitely happier. It's had a big impact on them."

The story is similar at Brendles Bay near Parshall, where none of the ramps were operational this spring.

"Everybody's spirits are up now," said Harley Rath, the proprietor. "That attitude has really changed. The fishermen and cabin owners are happy. "

Rath said the water came up so fast that temporary ramps were pulled. Rock was being added to the base of the existing ramps, which had been expected to be out of the water all year.

"Our campgrounds have been filling up on Wednesdays," Fort Stevenson State Park manager Dick Messerly said. "We were lengthening our concrete ramp, but now we've got a different problem than we thought we'd have."

Bill Galvin, of Pick City, was putting his big boat in for the first time this summer, last Thursday and exclaiming, "Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!"

John Tunge, the manager of Lake Sakakawea State Park at Pick City, said conditions are reversed from the start of the boating season.

"Looking at what the forecast was when we started - given that scenario, we're 16 feet ahead of where we thought we'd be," Tunge said. "There's a lot less complaints."

Monday's lake level was 1,817 feet, about the same as last year.

The three-week forecast issued by the Army Corps of Engineers on June 29 predicts a lake level of 1814.1 feet on July 27. Current long-range projections show a level of 1812.8 on September 30 - up from May's projection of 1804.6 for that date.